dotnet-specification-pattern
Implements the Specification pattern for encapsulating query logic. Enables composable, reusable, and testable query criteria with support for includes, ordering, and pagination.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/ronnythedev/dotnet-clean-architecture-skills /tmp/dotnet-specification-pattern && cp -r /tmp/dotnet-specification-pattern/skills/20-dotnet-specification-pattern ~/.claude/skills/dotnet-specification-patternSKILL.md
# Specification Pattern Generator
## Overview
The Specification pattern encapsulates query logic:
- **Reusable criteria** - Define once, use everywhere
- **Composable** - Combine with And/Or
- **Testable** - Test query logic in isolation
- **Type-safe** - Compile-time checking
## Quick Reference
| Component | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| `ISpecification<T>` | Base specification interface |
| `BaseSpecification<T>` | Abstract implementation |
| `SpecificationEvaluator` | Applies spec to IQueryable |
---
## Template: Specification Interface
```csharp
// src/{name}.domain/Abstractions/ISpecification.cs
using System.Linq.Expressions;
namespace {name}.domain.abstractions;
public interface ISpecification<T>
{
Expression<Func<T, bool>>? Criteria { get; }
List<Expression<Func<T, object>>> Includes { get; }
List<string> IncludeStrings { get; }
Expression<Func<T, object>>? OrderBy { get; }
Expression<Func<T, object>>? OrderByDescending { get; }
int? Take { get; }
int? Skip { get; }
bool IsPagingEnabled { get; }
}
```
---
## Template: Base Specification
```csharp
// src/{name}.domain/Abstractions/BaseSpecification.cs
using System.Linq.Expressions;
namespace {name}.domain.abstractions;
public abstract class BaseSpecification<T> : ISpecification<T>
{
public Expression<Func<T, bool>>? Criteria { get; private set; }
public List<Expression<Func<T, object>>> Includes { get; } = new();
public List<string> IncludeStrings { get; } = new();
public Expression<Func<T, object>>? OrderBy { get; private set; }
public Expression<Func<T, object>>? OrderByDescending { get; private set; }
public int? Take { get; private set; }
public int? Skip { get; private set; }
public bool IsPagingEnabled { get; private set; }
protected void AddCriteria(Expression<Func<T, bool>> criteria) => Criteria = criteria;
protected void AddInclude(Expression<Func<T, object>> include) => Includes.Add(include);
protected void AddInclude(string include) => IncludeStrings.Add(include);
protected void ApplyOrderBy(Expression<Func<T, object>> orderBy) => OrderBy = orderBy;
protected void ApplyOrderByDescending(Expression<Func<T, object>> orderBy) => OrderByDescending = orderBy;
protected void ApplyPaging(int skip, int take)
{
Skip = skip;
Take = take;
IsPagingEnabled = true;
}
}
```
---
## Template: Concrete Specifications
```csharp
// src/{name}.domain/{Aggregate}/Specifications/Active{Entities}Specification.cs
namespace {name}.domain.{aggregate}.specifications;
public sealed class Active{Entities}Specification : BaseSpecification<{Entity}>
{
public Active{Entities}Specification()
{
AddCriteria(e => e.IsActive);
ApplyOrderBy(e => e.Name);
}
}
public sealed class {Entities}ByOrganizationSpecification : BaseSpecification<{Entity}>
{
public {Entities}ByOrganizationSpecification(Guid organizationId, bool includeChildren = false)
{
AddCriteria(e => e.OrganizationId == organizationId && e.IsActive);
if (includeChildren)
{
AddInclude(e => e.Children);
}
ApplyOrderBy(e => e.Name);
}
}
public sealed class {Entity}ByIdSpecification : BaseSpecification<{Entity}>
{
public {Entity}ByIdSpecification(Guid id, bool includeAll = false)
{
AddCriteria(e => e.Id == id);
if (includeAll)
{
AddInclude(e => e.Children);
AddInclude(e => e.Organization);
AddInclude("Children.SubItems"); // String-based deep include
}
}
}
public sealed class Paged{Entities}Specification : BaseSpecification<{Entity}>
{
public Paged{Entities}Specification(int pageNumber, int pageSize, string? searchTerm = null)
{
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(searchTerm))
{
AddCriteria(e => e.Name.ToLower().Contains(searchTerm.ToLower()));
}
else
{
AddCriteria(e => e.IsActive);
}
ApplyOrderByDescending(e => e.CreatedAt);
ApplyPaging((pageNumber - 1) * pageSize, pageSize);
}
}
```
---
## Template: Specification Evaluator
```csharp
// src/{name}.infrastructure/Specifications/SpecificationEvaluator.cs
using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
using {name}.domain.abstractions;
namespace {name}.infrastructure.specifications;
public static class SpecificationEvaluator
{
public static IQueryable<T> GetQuery<T>(
IQueryable<T> inputQuery,
ISpecification<T> specification) where T : class
{
var query = inputQuery;
if (specification.Criteria is not null)
{
query = query.Where(specification.Criteria);
}
foreach (var include in specification.Includes)
{
query = query.Include(include);
}
foreach (var includeString in specification.IncludeStrings)
{
query = query.Include(includeString);
}
if (specification.OrderBy is not null)
{
query = query.OrderBy(specification.OrderBy);
}
else if (specification.OrderByDescending is not null)
{
query = query.OrderByDescending(specification.OrderByDescending);
}
if (specification.IsPagingEnabled)
{
query = query.Skip(specification.Skip!.Value).Take(specification.Take!.Value);
}
return query;
}
}
```
---
## Template: Repository Integration
```csharp
// src/{name}.infrastructure/Repositories/{Entity}Repository.cs
public async Task<IReadOnlyList<{Entity}>> GetAsync(
ISpecification<{Entity}> specification,
CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
return await SpecificationEvaluator
.GetQuery(_dbContext.Set<{Entity}>(), specification)
.ToListAsync(cancellationToken);
}
public async Task<{Entity}?> GetFirstOrDefaultAsync(
ISpecification<{EntityScaffolds a complete .NET solution following Clean Architecture principles with proper layer separation (API, Application, Domain, Infrastructure). Creates project structure, dependency injection setup, and cross-cutting concerns configuration.
Generates CQRS Commands with Handlers, Validators, and Request DTOs following Clean Architecture patterns. Commands represent actions that modify state and return Result types for proper error handling.
Generates CQRS Queries with Handlers and Response DTOs for read operations. Uses Dapper for optimized read queries, bypassing the domain model for better performance.
Generates Domain Entities following DDD principles with factory methods, private setters, domain events, and proper encapsulation. Supports aggregate roots, child entities, and value objects.
Generates Repository interfaces and implementations following the Repository pattern. Provides data access abstraction for aggregate roots with EF Core implementations.
Generates Entity Framework Core configurations using Fluent API. Maps domain entities to database tables with proper relationships, constraints, and conventions.
Generates RESTful API Controllers with proper routing, versioning, authorization, and MediatR integration. Follows REST conventions and Clean Architecture patterns.
Generates Minimal API endpoints following Microsoft's recommended approach. Creates fast, testable HTTP APIs with minimal code using MapGet/MapPost/MapPut/MapDelete. Preferred over controller-based APIs for new projects.